“Animi as far as the eye can see. It’s a beautiful sight, at least from up here – but I digress. Our Engineers have spent countless hours perfecting this top secret state of the art facility, in order to house our most ambitious project to date. We have uploaded DNA from dozens of our most remarkable subjects, and distilled the essence of their unique abilities. You stand in this room today because you have served us impeccably, and may I say loyally, now it is time for you to become so much more.”

What? I thought this was the waiting room. I wonder when my interview is. I’d best stay quiet until I can leave.

“Your first time in the Animus will be...disorienting, a few of you will panic. To adjust, focus on your training program. So of you will be in teams protecting or desyncing a VIP,”

Desyncing? What does that mean? What are these people doing?

“But most of you will be on your own. Be ready to receive assassination contracts while being targeted simultaneously. We feel it keep you on your toes.”

Targeted? Keep you on your toes? What’s happening? Who wants to be targeted? I’m only here for the admin job!

“Once you enter these machines and the transfer is complete, you will have the skills necessary to crush the remnants of the assassin order, ending this war, once and for all. Any questions?...good. Let’s begin.”

War? Right, I think it’s time to go...guards at every door, guards with guns. What am I going to do? Everyone else is climbing on to those metal beds. What did that guy call them? Animi? Animuses? Weird. Okay, I suppose I’ll just climb on here and...

“Sir, please choose your simulation program and parameters, otherwise you will not receive completion of your first training shift and you will be terminated.”

“Terminated? Erm...what do you suggest?

“You have selected the ‘Play Now’ option. Joining game.”

“Right, so ‘Play Now’ it’s a game, I get it.” Shouldn’t be too hard should it?

“Good Luck.”

“What?” ARGH...oh wow. Where am I? Is this...is this Italy? Wow I’d seen pictures but I’d never thought in a million years I’d be here. Well this is cool. Wait. What’s everyone wearing? Is there some sort of renaissance fair happening? But I’m in...wait a minute. When did I grow this beard? I don’t remember wearing pantaloons. I’ve got to get out of here. Why does everyone look the same? What’s happening?

“Follow and assassinate your target using the compass provided.”

“What?” Maybe she knows what’s happening. I don’t like the sound of it whatever it is. “What am I doing? And how do I get out?

“Follow and assassinate your target using the compass provided sir! Do I need to spell it out for you?

She’s offended. I should stop talking to her...so follow and assassinate my target. Okay, I can do this. Oh wow, I’d love to climb a building like that. Oh God, she’s gonna jump. “Don’t jump, don’t jump!” She’s diving. She’s insane. I’ll catch her. This cart of hay is in the way. Too late. I hope she’s alright, because that dive was perfectly executed into the hay. “Hey, hey, hey, are you still alive?” Oh please be alive. Ah there she is. Wait, what’re you do...

“ARGH! ARGH! ARGH! Wha? What happened?”

“You have been desynchronised. Please wait to rejoin the simulation.”

“De- what?

“Desynchronised.”

“Right so now I just wait and...” Well I’m back. Follow and assassinate target, I can do this. Now where is that Bit...ouch – “what now? I’m dead again aren’t I?”

“Desynchronised sir, please wait to rejoin the simulation.”

“Whatever, but I was shot? They didn’t have guns in renaissance Italy! This simulation isn’t very accurate.”

“Wait? No I’ve had enough right now...” Great, I’m back. Come on guys, I don’t want to hurt you. Just let me go. Okay, so I can’t climb buildings and I don’t have a gun on me. At least I don’t think so. Oh, what’s this? Some sort of knife. Really? No renaissance bazooka or anything? Oh, there’s another jumper, hey I recognise you. She’s jumping into the street this time, perhaps I should get out of her wa...